$20 an Hour Overtime Pay: How Much You Really Earn (2026)

The Short Answer

Overtime at $20 an hour pays $30 per hour — that is $20 × 1.5, the federal time-and-a-half rate. If you are a non-exempt employee, every hour over 40 in a workweek must be paid at $30 or more under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

$20 an Hour Overtime Pay Examples

• 5 overtime hours a week: 5 × $30 = $150 extra per week (about $7,800 a year)
• 10 overtime hours a week: 10 × $30 = $300 extra per week (about $15,600 a year)
• 20 overtime hours a week: 20 × $30 = $600 extra per week (about $31,200 a year)

A 50-hour week at $20 an hour pays $800 straight time plus $300 overtime — $1,100 gross. On a biweekly paycheck, 20 total overtime hours add $600, bringing a normal $1,600 check to $2,200.

Double Time at $20 an Hour

Double time is $40 per hour. Federal law does not require double time, but some situations pay it:

• California: double time after 12 hours in a workday, and after 8 hours on the seventh consecutive workday. See our California double time guide.
• Some employers and union contracts pay double time on holidays or Sundays as a policy, not a legal requirement.

Taxes on $30-an-Hour Overtime

Overtime is not taxed at a special higher rate — it is ordinary income. Expect federal income tax, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax where applicable. Because overtime raises your total income, part of it may fall in a higher bracket. Use our overtime tax calculator and take-home pay calculator to see your real net.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is time and a half for $20 an hour?

$30 per hour. Multiply $20 by 1.5.

How much is a 45-hour week at $20 an hour?

40 × $20 = $800 straight time, plus 5 × $30 = $150 overtime, for $950 gross.

Do salaried workers at this pay level get overtime?

Possibly. Being paid a salary does not by itself remove overtime rights — you must also meet the FLSA salary threshold and a job duties test to be exempt. Read can salaried employees get overtime.

Calculate Your Exact Overtime Pay

Try our overtime calculator with your real hours, check the overtime pay by hourly rate chart, or read the full overtime pay guide for the USA.